Understanding Car Shipping
Understanding Car Shipping and Auto Transport
Scheduling: Having Realistic Expectations
The most important issue for people to understand about
the process of car shipping is that this industry is not like
UPS, Fed-Ex or even the Postal Service. Pick-up and delivery
dates are estimates, typically not guarantees of pick-up or
delivery dates. Unforeseen problems from mechanical break
downs, traffic, and weather all contribute to delays. Ironically,
the biggest delays for vehicle shipping companies are typically
caused by their own customers. Customers fail to show up on
time, try to change pick-up or drop off locations at the last
minute etc. Patience is required, and most companies want
to get your vehicle to you as soon as you do. Make sure you
have realistic expectations about when your vehicle will be
picked up and delivered.
Selecting an Auto Shipping Method: Open or Enclosed
Open trailers are either partially or fully exposed to the
elements. There are many different types of open trailers,
ranging from small three car carriers to the large 11 car
carriers that you often see on the Interstate. Enclosed trailers
are protected from the elements, and your vehicle is basically
shipped in a mobile garage. Having your vehicle shipped enclosed
is typically a 25-50% premium over having it shipped on an
open trailer. Most cars can be shipped either on an open trailer
or in an enclosed trailer. It all depends on what you want
to spend.
Door-to-door Car Shipping: What it Means
All of the quotes provided by Mover MAX are for door-to-door
car shipping. Door-to-door should have an asterisk after it,
as it does not always mean a truck will be able to pull up
to your front door. Door-to-door means that the truck driver
will get as close to your specified pick-up or delivery spot
as he can legally and safely get. Large towns and cities often
restrict large trucks and prohibit them from entering into
some residential areas. Car shipping trucks can be up to 75
foot long, and drivers will need lots of room to maneuver
and turn around. When access to your residence is restricted
by narrow streets, low-hanging trees, speed bumps or tight
turns, the driver may ask that you meet the truck at a large
parking lot nearby, such as a grocery store, school, or shopping
mall.
Payment Methods: Be Ready
While some car transport companies may not require payment
in advance, others require a deposit (10-25% of the total
cost) prior to shipping. If a deposit is given, the balance
remaining is always required at time of delivery. You will
need to have a CASHIERS CHECK or CASH ready when the truck
arrives. Some vehicle shipping companies may allow you to
pay with a credit card upon delivery, but this is not common.
Make Sure You Are Properly Insured
Your car should be insured against damage and theft by your
car shipping company. Make sure you request a copy of the
car shipping company's insurance coverage before you finalize
auto shipping and check to see if there is any deductible
you will be required to pay if damage should occur. Everything
pertaining to the car shipment should be in writing. It is
likely that your personal car insurance policy may cover your
vehicle in transit; and we recommend that you contact your
insurance company to verify this coverage. Mover MAX highly
recommends that you remove any personal items from your car
when it is shipped as they will not be covered by the car
shipping company's insurance, and may not be covered by your
auto policy or your home owners insurance.
Before Pick-up
Steps to Prepare your Car for Shipping
Wash your car thoroughly even if will be shipped on an open
trailer. You want to be able to note any chips, dings, nicks
or other cosmetic damage accurately.
Remove any personal items from your car. Most vehicle shipping
companies are not licensed and thus cannot legally carry any
personal items in vehicles they transport. It will also not
likely be covered by insurance.
Shut off and or disable the car alarm. It is impossible to
be well versed in all of the alarm systems available today,
make it easy on the company and disable it.
Don't top off your gas tank, keep it low, in between 1/8th
to 1/4th of a tank as this saves quite a bit of weight which
the auto transporters appreciate.
Please make sure to secure or remove any loose parts or specialty
items from your car such as ground effects, spoilers, fog
lights. If you have wide mirrors fold them back and lower
and remove/retract the antennae if possible.
If possible, always ship convertibles with the top and secured
properly. Try to seal any holes or open seams in the top to
prevent air or moisture from causing damage. If you cannot
raise the top, you should attempt to cover it with a secure
fitting tarp that can resist high winds.
Make sure the battery is charged, that the tires have proper
inflation and top off all of the fluids on the vehicle and
let the drive know if there are ANY leaks. Cars leaking oil
and especially brake or transmission fluid should NEVER be
on the top of a two deck open trailer. This is to prevent
leaks onto the paint of vehicles below.
Prepare a careful list of any operational problems or steps
necessary to start, stop, or drive your vehicle on and off
of the trailer.
Do a Thorough Vehicle Inspection: Document Its Condition
In order to ensure any claims of vehicle damage are accurate
and enforceable, make a complete report of any pre-existing
damage your vehicle may have. You may want to go as far as
taking pictures (and dating them) of the vehicle prior to
shipping it.
Pick-up
Meeting The Truck: Be On Time
Make sure you are on time to meet the driver and that your
meeting spot is clearly defined and easy to get to for both
parties. Remember the size and maneuvering restrictions for
the truck. Not meeting the truck can delay delivery for not
only your vehicle, but also all of the other customers whose
cars are sitting on the trailer.
Releasing Your Car: Do the Paperwork
Prior to leaving your car with the car shipping company,
be sure you receive an original inspection report. This report
provides pick-up and delivery information, the car's current
mileage, and most importantly documents the condition of your
car at time of pick-up - pre-existing scratches and dents,
cracked glass/mirrors, general paint condition, etc. Keep
this report and use it when you receive your vehicle. If you
will not be receiving the car, you should send a copy of this
report to the person who will be.
Delivery
Meeting The Truck: Be On Time
Make sure you are on time to meet the driver and that your
meeting spot is clearly defined and easy to get to for both
parties. Remember the size and maneuvering restrictions for
the truck. Not meeting the truck can delay delivery for not
only your vehicle, but also all of the other customers whose
cars are sitting on the trailer.
Accepting The Car: What to Look For On Delivery
When your car arrives, make sure that you do a slow, methodical
inspection of the vehicle with a copy of the original inspection
report in hand. Look for any cosmetic or discernable mechanical
damage that was not noted in the original report. Make sure
you look underneath the vehicle as well. If there is any damage
not on the original inspection report, note each incident
of damage as exceptions and be sure the driver signs it. Mover
MAX suggests never accepting a vehicle if you cannot clearly
inspect it. Avoid accepting your vehicle at night, unless
you can view it under good lights.
Should Damage Occur: Steps to Take
Car shipping is typically worry free, and the vast majority
of vehicles are shipped with out incident or damage. However,
damage does sometimes occur and it is important to understand
that process of receiving compensation for the damage. If
damage occurs, and you feel it is directly attributable to
the shipping process, note all damage on your inspection report
(see item above), obtain the driver's signature, and contact
your car shipping company. The car shipping company should
then work with you to reimburse you for verifiable damage
done to your car.
Dealing With Disputes: Who to Contact, What to Do
If for some reason you feel that you were not treated properly
by your car shipping company, Mover MAX recommends that you
first try to work it out with the company directly. Most companies
should work quickly to help resolve any issues. State your
case politely, yet firmly as they will likely respond much
more quickly if they feel you are reasonable and would like
to resolve the issue with minimal fuss. If this tactic does
not produce results, you may opt to file a complaint with
the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org). You may also
wish to contact The U.S. Dept. of Transportation (http://www.dot.gov).
The DOT is the regulatory body that governs auto transport
companies, but will rarely get involved unless you have a
court ruling against the company in question. Mover MAX is
not responsible for, nor do we get involved in disputes between
our customers (consumers, vehicle dealers, and vehicle shippers).
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